X’s algorithm will finally prioritize replies from people you already follow

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X’s algorithm will finally prioritize replies from people you already follow

Engadget · 1 month ago

X has deployed an algorithmic adjustment to increase the prominence of replies from mutual followers—accounts you follow that also follow you back. The platform's head of product, Nikita Bier, acknowledged that the algorithm previously lacked the necessary parameters to prioritise these responses, leaving reply sections dominated by unfamiliar users. The change is intended to create a more welcoming discussion environment by surfacing conversations from your existing network and helping users identify shared interests.

The update reflects X's ongoing effort to improve conversation quality on the platform, arriving months after the company shut down its Communities feature in April due to its association with spam and malware. Although Communities accounted for less than 0.4 percent of user engagement, it generated 80 percent of spam reports and security incidents. By redirecting resources away from that failed initiative and toward strengthening existing follower connections, X hopes to cultivate exchanges that feel less adversarial and more authentic.

  • X is adjusting its algorithm to show more replies from mutual followers, aiming to reduce the 'battleground' feel of the replies section
  • The change seeks to decrease toxicity and foster more meaningful conversations between established connections
  • Follows the April shutdown of Communities feature, which was rarely used but generated disproportionate spam and malware

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